EMSA to Change Statements Sent to Patients

TULSA, Okla. (AP) — The chief executive officer of Emergency Medical Services Authority says the ambulance service will change the statements it sends to patients.

The change comes after EMSA was criticized by patients and city officials in Tulsa for billing patients who paid a monthly fee of $3 to $4 a month with their utility bills as part of a program to provide ambulance service at no additional charge.

EMSA CEO Steve Williamson says that the new statements should be in place by July 1st.

The statement says "This is not a bill" and "do not pay" and asks for insurance information.

A statement to patients not listed in the program includes the amount owed and tells them to contact EMSA if they are paying the monthly fee.

(Information in the following story is from: Tulsa World, http://www.tulsaworld.com)